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Bedford Today

Bedford today

Our focus is on addressing people’s needs in a caring and supportive environment. With the help of the community, we can ensure that people with a disability or disadvantage are given the opportunity to achieve their dreams and fulfil their potential.

• Supports 1,800 people with a disability or disadvantage
• Employs 750 people with a disability in its diverse business areas in metropolitan Adelaide, on the Yorke Peninsula with locations at Port Pirie, Wallaroo and Kadina, in the South East at Mount Gambier and Millicent, and on the Eyre Peninsula at Port Lincoln
• Supports approximately 800 people in open employment (i.e. employment in the community) and personal support programmes in metropolitan Adelaide, Murray Bridge, Mount Barker and Port Pirie
• Supports over 100 people in its Day Options programmes at Millicent, Panorama, Port Lincoln, Port Pirie and Wallaroo
• Provides residential services for over 150 people with a disability at Balyana, at Clapham, and in the community. Currently, Bedford is expanding its community housing portfolio for people with disability. The ‘Homes for 100’ housing partnership with the South Australian State Government is part of this initiative
• Employs over 330 support staff          
• In partnership with TAFE SA, through the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST), is delivering accredited training to its supported employees and those of other disability employers through its ‘Abilities for All’ programme. So far over 500 people with a disability have benefitted from this programme

1920 to Today

• Bedford started out as the Civilian Tubercular and Cancer Comforts Fund in 1920, before changing its direction in 1943 to become the South Australian Tuberculosis Association Incorporated (SATAI)
• In 1945, Bedford Industries was born, with the focus on creating a brighter future for people with a disability through providing work, training and other life opportunities
• Bedford Industries was originally located in Glenelg, moving to its site at Panorama in 1949
• Over the years, Bedford has expanded its services to offer opportunities across metropolitan Adelaide. More recently, Bedford has further expanded its services to operate state-wide, across South Australia